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Back to the Books

Have you ever noticed how “Life” sometimes gets in the way of things you’re supposed to be doing — like keeping up a blog?

That’s exactly what’s been going on in my corner of the world.

For the past 13 months (give or take), I’ve been playing chauffeur for my mom. Not because she’s afraid to drive, not because I have time on my hands and enjoy that sort of thing.

No, it’s because she had eye surgery and can’t drive right now.

The ordeal started in September, 2009, when Mom had cataract surgery performed by a local ophthalmologist. Yes, she checked him out beforehand and received rave reviews; the procedure would be a snap, he told her. So much so that she’d be golfing again — or anything else she chose to do — the very next day.

Hah.

Afterward, her vision was blurry. And time didn’t make it one bit better. Not only has she not even touched a golf club — she’s been unable to read (her passion) or drive; even cooking and walking for exercise are real challenges.

No matter that she religiously inserted the drops and ointments she’d been given. No matter that she was “taxied” (by me) to and from his office every week.

Finally, in desperate fear that her vision was getting even worse, she got a second opinion.

And learned she needed to see a specialist in Indianapolis, who advised her to undergo corneal transplant.

Scary stuff, but it’s wonderful what true professionals can do these days.

That surgery was in mid-September, and my sister (thankfully!) shepherded her through it. But Sis had to go back to her life, leaving me to (once again) taxi Mom to follow-up appointments. And once again, the appointments started off every couple of days, extended to every five days, then weekly, and most recently, two months.

It’s too soon, really, to proclaim the procedure a success, but everybody is guardedly optimistic.

I, too, am beginning to see light at the end of this tunnel. To hope that, once again, Mom will be back to her active self and I can resume my own life.

And even though she’s yet to return to the golf course, Mom is reading again!

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5 thoughts on “Back to the Books”

What a harrowing experience you have shared so vividly! Eyesight is so precious. Cataract surgery is so very routine these days but when goes awry, it can be devastating. So glad you got that second opinion and now have reason to be cautiously optimistic. Thanks for the reminder that we should all be immensely grateful for our eyesight and for every day we can read,write and see! Glad you have your life back too- Onward!

Thanks, Kathy! Yes, it’s been most harrowing, made worse (if possible) by watching my mom turn into an “old lady” before her time. People don’t realize how much we depend on our eyesight and how hard it is to be “eyes” for another person. I’m continuing to send prayers Heaven-ward for her complete recovery!

Oh, gosh, Debbie, what would she do without you guys? I know it’s so hard to add that to your already-long list of responsibilities, but it just breaks my heart with gratitude that she has you. And thank God her vision is improving. Life is good.

You’re so right, Lynne! I guess they don’t call us the “sandwich generation” for nuthin’, huh? It’s been more trying than I ever imagined. I’m definitely not the most patient person on the planet, but it’s taught me to see the world through new eyes (and maybe that’s not so bad). If nothing else, it might stand me in good stead in writing descriptions!

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Whenever I dream, It seems I dream
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And little babbling rills.
I hear a colleen's lilting laugh
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